Finance Associate G6 (Global Payments Solution), Budapest, Hungary (Multiple Positions)

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Join us in shaping a future with Zero Hunger. We are seeking passionate individuals eager to embrace change and contribute to global projects.  You will join an innovative team and contribute to shaping the success of WFP’s recently established Global Payment Solutions office in Budapest.  WFP, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, offers you the chance to work within a diverse and multicultural setting, and on impactful projects that directly transform millions of lives globally.

If you are eager to leverage and continue to build on your financial experience overseeing and coordinating the work of others, then this is the perfect opportunity for you.    

Join us in making a positive difference  

We are currently recruiting three (3) Finance Associate (G6) positions for our WFP Global Payments Solutions Centre in Budapest. The selected candidates will be expected to start their roles at the beginning of June 2024. 

This call for applications will remain open for continuous submissions until the roles are filled. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis. 

This recruitment will also be used to build a roster of prequalified applicants for future opportunities for similar roles at the same or lower level in Budapest.  

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable and world’s largest humanitarian organization, operating in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger. 

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves. 

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, Linkedln, lnstagram, Facebook, Twitter. 

WHY JOIN US

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of trainings, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe
• We offer an attractive compensation package and benefits (please refer to the Discover our Benefits section)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

In 2023, WFP established its Global Business Service Centre in Budapest which accommodates the Global Payment Solution (GPS) shared services facility of the Corporate Finance Division. The GPS consolidates WFP’s accounts payable function in Budapest to alleviate the workload of Country Offices in conducting routine tasks and allow them to focus on core mission activities, and delivers improved efficiency, enhanced data quality & controls, as well as better service delivery.    

This new office embodies a strategic response to enhance operational efficiency and is at the forefront of enhancing how we handle financial tasks.  

View the video for more about the Budapest Global Payments Solutions Centre:  GPS Introductory video 

JOB PURPOSE

Finance Associates, provide support in the areas of (1) General Accounting, (2) Accounts Payable, and (3) Quality Assurance (The area of Quality Assurance focuses on reviews of transaction processing, ensuring compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), control analysis and verification procedures).  
These roles coordinate and provide financial support services involving the recording and interpretation of financial information to ensure the efficient functioning of the support services and informed decision-making. Finance Associates are expected to demonstrate responsibility and initiative to respond independently to queries with only general guidance. There is a requirement to use judgment in dealing with unforeseen problems daily. Comprehensive induction and training are offered, ensuring that valuable work experience is gained to enhance your career development.  

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Liaise with the GPS processing team, to ensure that all financial services are being performed efficiently and in line with the needs of the wider team.
• Oversee the Case Management Platform, consolidate received payment requests and initiate relevant payment process, to ensure prompt and compliant payments to vendors and staff, in accordance with WFP finance rules and regulations.
• Ensure all activities are performed accurately, in alignment with internal controls (e.g. policy compliance, verify correctness of payment instructions and bank balance liquidity checking) and report any discrepancies to supervisors.
• Process payment transactions in the corporate financial management system as part of regularly scheduled activities. This entails consolidating all due payables, reconciling records against the Case Management Platform, ensuring consistency of net liability based on incoming case, and effectively addressing any related concerns or complications.
• Perform scheduled activities for General Accounting and Accounts Payable, under the guidance of the supervisor,
• Consolidate and prepare required documentation and submit payment transactions for approval.
• Monitor downstream process to ensure timely payment transfer; handle bank rejections and similar exceptional cases and update records to accurately reflect their status.
• Provide feedback to requesting offices on specialized questions. Escalate inquiries requiring more extensive analysis.
• Bring any discrepancy or inaccuracy related to any financial transaction to the attention of the supervisor and follow up corrective actions.
• Compile data from the WFP database and systems to assist in generating and analyzing financial reports. Monitor workload trends and provide reports to facilitate informed decision-making.
• Perform other assigned tasks as required.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES AND MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Education  

• Completion of secondary education (high school diploma) is a minimum requirement. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area is desirable.

Experience:  

• Holders of a high school diploma require a minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience in finance and/or in a service center
• Alternatively, a completed university degree from an accredited institution in finance, project management, business studies (or equivalent qualifications) will be counted as 4 years’ work experience. This should be supplemented with a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience. 
• Strong focus on accuracy and consistency, with strong analytical, data extraction, reporting skills, and logical thinking.
• A working knowledge of ERP systems and preferably SAP Software is desirable.
• Ability to build relationships with a variety of individuals across teams.
• Ability to work effectively with others in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and inclusion.
• Working knowledge of the Microsoft Suite of Products (MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint).
• Proven ability to deal with confidential and sensitive communication and information

Language requirements: 

• Fluency in both oral and written communication in English language (Level C) and in the duty station’s language.
• Knowledge of a second UN language is desirable (a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese.

WHEN JOINING WFP, YOU WILL RECEIVE

The selected candidates will be employed on a fixed-term contract, initially for a duration of two years with a probationary period of one year.   

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org ) including a competitive salary that is exempted from paying national income taxes in Hungary on United Nations emoluments. The salary scale is available at General Service Category – Annual Salaries and Allowances. To create a salary simulation, please check the salary calculator: SalCalcInt (undp.org). Various elements such as insurance premiums may differ based on the WFP regulatory framework and rules and applicable rates.  

DISCOVER OUR BENEFITS

• Holidays and various types of leave, including 30 days of annual leave per year for fixed-term positions.
• A minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave
• Dependency allowance for children under 18 years old (up to 6 children)
• 2nd UN language allowance , where fluency (level C) of another UN language has been demonstrated
• Enrollment into United Nations sponsored medical insurance plan with a global coverage, for the staff member and /or dependents. 
• United Nations pension plan. Enrollment into this plan is mandatory and replaces the Hungarian Social Security insurance.
• Access to professional development and learning programs, online learning and creating a learning path
• Access to staff well-being support, incl. staff counselling and medical office.
• Access to career development support, such as comprehensive learning platform, mentorship programs, language training and other materials and training sessions to guide you on your career journey with WFP.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• Applicants must reside within commuting distance to the WFP Budapest office (Central Udvar, Wesselényi u. 16, 1077 Budapest), or be willing to relocate at their own cost before taking up the assignment.
• Applicants must be nationals of Hungary or EU countries or be in possession of a valid work permit. WFP does not facilitate MFA accreditation for locally recruited staff. WFP shall not accept any responsibility or liability to act as a sponsor or to otherwise facilitate the issuance, maintenance, renewal, extension, or conversion of the candidate’s residency and/or work permit for the purpose of employment with WFP. Please attach a copy of your work permit to your application submission (if applicable)

SELECTION PROCESS

Our selection process follows a structured approach and includes the following steps:  

• Application to a vacancy announcement
• Technical assessment
• English language assessment
• Competency-based interview
• Background check

Ready to make your mark at WFP? Submit your application now! 

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability. WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment.

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.